Ajit Pawar Acquitted in High-Profile ₹1,000-Crore Benami Property Case

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been exonerated in a high-profile ₹1,000-crore benami property case. The Prevention of Benami Property Transactions Appellate Tribunal in Delhi dismissed all allegations against him and his family, citing insufficient evidence. The tribunal also ordered the release of assets seized by the Income Tax Department in 2021, including the Jarandeshwar Sugar Factory, a flat in Delhi, a resort in Goa, and land parcels across 27 locations in Maharashtra.

In October 2021, the Income Tax Department raided businesses and individuals linked to Pawar and his family, alleging the acquisition of benami properties to conceal financial wrongdoing. The raids led to the attachment of multiple assets, valued at over ₹1,000 crore. However, the tribunal found no evidence of illegal transactions, stating that all property dealings were legitimate and conducted through proper financial channels.

"The evidence does not substantiate the claims of benami transactions," the tribunal stated. "There is no proof that Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar, or Parth Pawar were involved in transferring funds to acquire these properties."

Pawar’s legal team, led by advocate Prashant Patil, argued that the allegations were baseless and lacked legal merit under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act. Patil emphasized that the properties were acquired transparently, with full documentation and compliance with regulations. "The accusations were entirely unfounded, and the tribunal's verdict has vindicated the Pawar family," Patil said.

The tribunal’s decision comes shortly after Ajit Pawar's swearing-in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, following the Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the state elections. On November 5, 2024, the tribunal upheld its decision by rejecting an appeal from the Income Tax Department to overturn the verdict. This final ruling clears the way for the return of the attached properties to the Pawar family.

The 2021 raids had uncovered ₹184 crore in unaccounted income related to two real estate groups allegedly linked to Pawar’s relatives. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, the tribunal found no direct connection between Ajit Pawar or his family and the seized properties.​